SPAL Celebrates 50 Years as Leading Manufacturer of OEM, Aftermarket Products

CORREGGIO, Italy - SPAL Automotive s.r.l. is celebrating its 50th anniversary as a leading manufacturer of high-quality fan, blower and electronic products for a variety of industries, including the agricultural, automotive, bus, construction, industrial, off-highway and truck markets.

Founded in 1959, SPAL initially specialized in plastic mold design and production. Soon after, SPAL began designing and manufacturing high-performance axial fans and centrifugal blowers as cooling solutions for a wide range of applications. Its first fan customer, Ferrari, set the stage for SPAL's commitment to manufacturing excellence as it grew in the coming years. Focusing on quality assurance and vertical integration - encompassing everything from in-house tool design to final assembly of the fans and blowers - SPAL today is a world-class supplier to a host of OEM companies, including Audi, BMW, Bombardier, Harley-Davidson, John Deere, Polaris and Thermo King among others.

Where airflow is a key component of the cooling system, such as engine and oil cooling, HVAC and ventilation, SPAL products are applied or adapted to meet each specific physical and performance need.

"At SPAL, we believe in delivering high-performing, reliable and superior products to all our customers," said SPAL C.O.O. Brent Clark. "Over the last five decades, we have focused on advanced engineering and continuous R&D to expand our product lines in order to serve as an expert resource for customers during their product development processes. In doing so, our engineers can customize specific products to meet unique customer needs."

In 1985, the company diversified again and began making and distributing a wide range of electronic products including cameras, monitors, parking sensors, power door locks, power window kits and vehicle security systems to satisfy another segment of the market.

SPAL's corporate headquarters has grown to more than 500,000 square feet today housing its engineering, manufacturing, product research and development, sales and testing facilities. There are several automated production lines to support its assembly operations giving SPAL the capacity to produce more than 5 million fans and blowers annually.

With 50 years of experience and growth as a basis, SPAL is continually investing in technology and equipment to provide cooling solutions. This includes today's hybrid and electric vehicles that require both direct and indirect vehicle engine and/or battery cooling.

"Our latest development in brushless motor technology incorporates fully sealed motors and multiple protective features that are designed to increase efficiency and reduce the number of wear components. The brushless motor technology is IP68-compliant against water and dust intrusion, making SPAL capable of adding cooling to demanding applications previously underserved in the market, " said Clark, who adds the company has completed a new facility to support this product line. "We are focused on expanding and evolving our role as the complete supplier partner to our current and new customer base."

SPAL's North American operation, SPAL USA, has acted as the sales, distribution and marketing center for SPAL products since 1989. The U.S. facility is housed in a 40,000-square-foot facility in Ankeny, Iowa, and employs a staff of 30. From this location, SPAL USA conducts sales, distribution, engineering and technical support for OEM and aftermarket applications.

SPAL Automotive's quality management system is ISO/TS16949:2002 certified for the design, development and production of its automotive-related products. In addition, SPAL's Environmental Management System is certified to UNI EN ISO14001:2004 and also meets the European Directive 2000/53/EC on end-of-life vehicles (ELV). SPAL USA is a member in good standing with the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) and Consumer Electronics Association (CEA).